September 12, 2006 -
Available as plug-in to GibbsCAM® software and as stand-alone package named Active Editor Pro, Productivity+ enables click-and-capture offline programming and simulation of probing routines for contact probes and non-contact laser probes, then integration with machining processes for automated and lights-out production. Machine tool users can apply probing measurement feedback and process control logic without specialized programming or probing knowledge.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Productivity+/Active Editor Pro Makes it Easy to Use Machine Tool Probing for Process Control, Closed-loop Machining, and Part Inspection
Software enables click-and-capture offline programming and simulation of probing routines, then integration with machining processes for automated and lights-out production
September 2006 -Renishaw's Productivity+ software suite provides a simplified approach to closed-loop machining, higher process efficiency, automated machining operations, and faster, leaner part throughout. The software allows probing routines to be programmed and simulated offline on CAD/CAM systems in the same manner, by the same people and at the same time as toolpath generation. It enables set-up, in-process inspection, first-off part verification, final part inspection, tool setting and tool breakage detection to all be programmed offline, then integrated into metal cutting cycles for a high degree of process automation.
Productivity+ is available both as a plug-in to GibbsCAM® software and as a stand-alone package named Active Editor Pro. The software allows machine tool users to apply probing measurement feedback and process control logic without specialized programming or probing knowledge. Productivity+ and Active Editor Pro support the entire spectrum of machine tool probe users and allow development of powerful probing routines for both contact probes and non-contact laser probes.
A graphical user interface (GUI) enables importing of CAD models for probe cycle generation. Prismatic features can be selected from a CAD model with single click to define the program, while a drag-and-drop interface uses the measured data to update machine parameters. Intuitive menus in the probing software remove the need for knowledge of probing macro commands, which vary by machine controller and are a time-consuming way to produce routines.
Full Process Control
Programs work through machine controls, enabling full process control and closed-loop machining by means of in-process measurements and automatic compensations and corrections. When an abnormality is identified, the Productivity+ program on the controller performs a series of logic checks to identify the problem and update the machining program for correction. Integrating metal cutting and probing allows programmed actions to be taken by the machine tool based on data collected, giving confidence for lights-out unattended operation.
The software is an all-in-one independent solution for creating probing cycles remotely from the machine tool. Advanced software allows point-and-click automatic programming of surface normals, saving huge amounts of time and reducing manual input errors. The instructions required to control the probe are automatically inserted in the same post-processed files as the toolpath.Besides new program generation, existing programs can be re-processed to include probing. The machining programs can be read and probing routines added at the desired points in the program, removing the need for cutting and pasting into text editors or on-machine editing.
Features can also be selected directly from an imported CAD model, making the generation of probing cycles even easier. For users without an existing CAD system, Productivity+ Active Editor Pro software allows the design of probing cycles using dialog-based feature selection. The software provides feedback throughout to ensure that the program is right the first time.
Once programs are completed, they may be fully simulated to identify errors and detect potential crashes.. The software protects against stylus and probe collisions by flagging a warning if any move will violate the part being inspected. Once simulation delivers a clean routine, programs can be post processed for a wide variety of control systems. Users can program and prove-out even complex probing operations, eliminating costly accidents that can arise with macro programming.
Productivity+/Active Editor Pro operates with the popular Parasolid(TM) format. Postprocessors are available for Fanuc-type, Heidenhain, and Siemens controllers.
Process and part verification
Productivity+ Active Editor Pro software can be used with high-accuracy Renishaw spindle probes to collect data for in-process quality checks without having to calibrate probes in all the intended vectors. This reduces the number of points required to measure each part, giving significant cycle time improvements.
On-machine monitoring at stages of the machining process allows errors to be detected earlier and corrected more quickly at lower cost. Similarly, the extent of any damage - such as from a tool breakage - can be assessed accurately and a decision made immediately to determine whether the part can still be completed within tolerance or must be scrapped.
The ability to check that the part is within specification at various stages will save time, reduce the amount of scrap and increase confidence that time is not being wasted working on components that are already too far out of tolerance.
Using probes to perform final inspection, while the part is still fixtured, eliminates the added costs and time for CMM and other post-process inspection, enabling "done in one" processing for faster part throughput.
For more information on Productivity+ Active Editor Pro probing software, contact Dave Bozich, Product Manager - Machine Tools. Tel: 847-286-9953. Email Dave.Bozich@Renishaw.com
GibbsCAM and the GibbsCAM logo are registered trademarks of Gibbs and Associates, Moorpark, CA, USA.
Reader inquiries should be directed to:
In USA
Sue Wilm
Marketing Assistant
Renishaw, Inc.
5277 Trillium Blvd.
Hoffman Estates IL 60192
Contacts:
Marketing:
Sue Wilm Marketing Assistant
USA
Public Relations:
Kemble & Rude Communications, Inc.
Roger Rude
4242 Airport Rd.
Cincinnati OH 45226
USA
Phone: 513-871-4042
FAX: 513-871-4895 E-mail this person
General Information:
Jeff Seliga
USA
Phone: 847-286-9953
FAX: 847-286-9974 E-mail this person Company Information: Name: Renishaw, Inc. Address: 5277 Trillium Blvd. City: Hoffman Estates State: IL ZIP: 60192 Country: USA Phone: 847-286-9953 FAX: 847-286-9974 http://www.renishaw.com
News provided by ThomasNet Industrial Newsroom® (TIN). TIN is a comprehensive source
of new and timely product information in the industrial marketplace. TIN supplies new product
information to the web sites, e-marketplaces and print publications that serve the
industrial marketplace. For press release submissions please go to
http://news.thomasnet.com/submitpr.html.
BY ACCESSING, BROWSING AND/OR USING THIS WEB SITE AND/OR ANY WEB SITES PROVIDED BY
ProductNews.com, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF USE
AGREEMENT.
del.icio.us
DIGG
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
